sly; for the position of a man standing lawfully on his
natural rights was new to Wodehouse; and all his certainty of the
facts did not save him from a sensation of habit which suggested that
close examination was alarming, and that something might still be
found out. As for Mr Waters, he looked with placid contempt at the
man, who was not respectable, and still had the instincts of a
vagabond in his heart.

"I am perfectly ready to explain," said the irreproachable solicitor,
who was quite secure in his position. "The tone of the request,
however, might be modified a little; and as I don't, any more than Mr
Wodehouse, see exactly what right Mr Wentworth has to demand--"

"I ask an explanation, not on my own behalf, but for the Miss
Wodehouses, who have made me their deputy," said the Curate, "for
their satisfaction, and that I may consult Mr Brown. You seem to
forget that all _he_ gains they lose; which surely justifies their
representative in asking how did it come about?"

It was at this point that all the other gentlemen present pressed
closer, and evinced an intention to take part. Dr Marjoribanks was the
first to speak. He took a pinch of snuff, and while he consumed it
looked from under his grizzled sandy eyebrows with a perplexing
mixture of doubt and respect at the Perpetual Curate. He was a man of
some discrimination in his way, and the young man's lofty looks
impressed him a little in spite of himself.

"Not to interrupt the explanation," said Dr Marjoribanks, "which we'll
all be glad to hear--but Mr Wentworth's a young man, not possessed, so
far as I am aware, of any particular right;--except that he has been
very generous and prompt in offering his services," said the Doctor,
moved to the admission by a fiery glance from the Curate's eye, which
somehow did not look like the eye of a guilty man. "I was thinking, an
old man, and an old friend, like myself, might maybe be a better
guardian for the ladies' interests--"

Mr Proctor, who had been listening very anxiously, was seized with a
cough at this moment, which drowned out the Doctor's words. It was a
preparatory cough, and out of it the late Rector rushed into speech.
"I have come from--from Oxford to be of use," said the new champion.
"My time is entirely at my own--at Miss Wodehouse's--at the Miss
Wodehouses' disposal. I am most desirous to be of use," said Mr
Proctor, anxiously. And he advanced close to the table to prefer his
claim.

"Such a di